What's your opinion?

I have been dealing with depression for about 5 years, severe anxiety for my whole life, and was finally diagnosed with major depression over a year ago. My doctor told me last week that it sounds more like Bipolar so I have my first ever apt. with a pdoc in 4 weeks. Sometimes the depression is really bad for a few days, then my spirits will lift and things seem a lot better. And that may last for a few days and then back down again I go. Then sometimes I will go thru that cycle all within the same day. I'm here, then there, then up then down, and back agian and I dont know what will happen next! THe depression medicine I have been on doeast seem to be helping. I dont sleep at night unless I take ambien and that only keeps me asleep about 4 hours. I dont think i have ever had a real manic episode.....sometimes I start talking and cant stop, and then I start repeating myself because I either forgot what I was talking about or Im nervous. I get very happy sometimes but it goes away fast.

Sorry to go on and on, but just wanted to know if this sounds familiar to anyone.

yes, it sounds familiar to me. it's bipolarII for me. my downs are more pronounced than my highs. i am on meds now but i'm still not where i want to be. i see my Pdoc this week...if work lets up...and i'll try to talk to her.

the high energy levels and then leveling out goes with the bipolar. you can feel like you're flying and then bam, the ground hits you in the nose. it is definitely not your ordinary type of depression. i had a talk with a really good T who knew more about it than any of the Pdocs that i've had lately. she explained things so that i finally understood what is happening organically in my brain.

read up as much as you can...on the net and in books. the more we know about our disease, the easier it is to deal. ignorance is what scares us the most. and we can't "manage" this stuff. we have to have the meds to level things out for us.

i'm really glad that you came here. there are a lot of good people here and you can send me a private message (PM)any time you want to. i check in now and then and will always reply. xoxoxo pat

Sure does Joyous!
HUGS
Cher

Thats how it is for me. My uncle has it, but he goes through extreme highs which are beyond my perception. I think my mom has it too but has never gotten help for it. Doesnt it run in families?

Anyway, I will read up on it. The thought of having this never crossed my mind until my doc mentioned it last week. It is 4 weeks before I can see pdoc...Ive been dealing with this for so long, so what's another several weeks!!!

Thanks for your support! It means so much!

I have a family history of mental illness.

Me too- My great great grandmother complained of seeing "little green men coming out of the ground" (but I probably would have too if I gave birth to 11 children) and my mom used to hide me on the ground under the windows of our house when I was little b/c she thought people were trying to shoot at us. Oh, the mental illness in my family can go on and on........

Have you tried Lunesta for sleep? I have been off and on with ambien and after so long it just does not work for me. They say you should only take it for a couple weeks at a time.

I've taken ambien for about 2 years. It only gives me about 4 hours a night now. My prob with ambien is that within an hour after taking it i will talk to my husband about things and then have no memory of it in the morning.(was hoping that would pass with time but never did) I havnt tried Lunesta.....maybe it time 4 a switch. have u?

Ambien is considered a hypnotic so that would explain the talking too hubby
I am taking Restoril now but have used Lunesta which worked really good BUT the taste is horrible! If you can handle the taste it leaves in your mouth it works great but that is the only reason I did not stay on it. They have anew Ambien CR which I hear is suppose to be better, lasts longer. Sounds like your body has become used too it if you are only getting that much sleep hon!

both of my daughters are bipolar, i'm sure. one T told my oldest that she is. and i think my mother was. and one sister for sure and my only brother is crazier than a loon ...so i guess we can include him.